fob

1 of 3

noun

ˈfäb 

1

: watch pocket

2

: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch

3

: an ornament attached to a fob chain

4

or key fob : an object attached to a key chain or key ring

especially : a small electronic device used typically in place of a key (as to unlock a door or start a vehicle) or to remotely initiate the action of another device (such as a garage door)

Wireless systems are triggered by pressing a button on a remote fob much like those used for car alarms.

—Max Alexander

The remote-start key fob has a range of several hundred feet, allowing you to start the car's engine from inside your home.

—Consumer Reports

fob

2 of 3

verb

fobbed; fobbing

transitive verb

archaic

: deceive, cheat

FOB

3 of 3

abbreviation

free on board

Examples of fob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Watch this video to see how to change the battery in your key fob. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024

Different key fobs in different countries can operate at different radio frequencies. —Lucas Ropek / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps akin to German dialect Fuppe pocket

Verb

Middle English fobben

First Known Use

Noun

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fob

• fob off
• fob someone off with
• fob someone or something off
• fob something off as
• key fob

Kids Definition

fob

noun

ˈfäb

1

: a short strap, ribbon, or chain attached especially to a pocket watch

2

: a small ornament worn on a watch chain

3

or key fob : an object attached especially to a key chain or key ring

especially : a small electronic device used typically in place of a key (as to unlock a door) or to remotely work another device

Legal Definition

F.O.B.

abbreviation

free on board